Police conduct gambling raid at Sterling Heights restaurant

(The Macomb Daily/DAVID N. POSAVETZ)
Seventy people were arrested or ticketed on illegal gambling-related charges at Candles Restaurant in Sterling Heights after a four-month investigation by police. Patrons at the restaurant near Mound were playing cards or using slot machines, police said.

Patrons at Candles Restaurant, 5738 15 Mile Road, near Mound, were playing cards or using slot machines, police said.

"We've been receiving complaints about the place, on and off, for the past year," said police Lt. Luke Riley. "We are not releasing any names until the prosecutor investigates the complaints and issues warrants."

Two men, one from Sterling Heights and one from Warren, could face felony charges of operating an illegal gambling establishment. Those ticketed would likely face fines for frequenting a place of illegal occupation. And at least two men are being investigated on drug-related charges.

Advertisement

The restaurant is part of a strip mall owned by Jovan Properties. Krsto Djurovski, who owns the center with his father and brother, said he previously heard complaints about the restaurant from other tenants in the center and that he even spoke with Sterling Heights police.

Djurovski said Candles Restaurant leased the facility about five years ago.

The raid Thursday was coordinated by the Sterling Heights Police Special Response Team.

Property seized in the raid includes $35,000 in cash, 10 slot machines and 167 grams of marijuana, according a police statement, which also notes the investigation is continuing.

The primary complaint from other businesses in the center, which includes a fitness gym, bakery, smokers outlet and a travel agency, was that Candles patrons were taking up too many parking spaces.

"What was going on there is not our fault and we certainly don't condone it," Djurovski said. "We try to run a good place."